Lithgow as Churchill? You must be joking!
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saima_pyke — 9 years ago(November 21, 2016 02:35 AM)
I agree. Actors don't have to physically resemble the people they portray but when all the other cast are so masterfully chosen to do so it sticks out terribly that he doesn't. Aside from that, he just doesn't seem to play Churchill the man well. I'm not saying he did a poor acting job, I am saying that there are others who could have done an outstanding acting job.
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chrissieboy72 — 9 years ago(November 22, 2016 02:24 PM)
You're wrong. The whole cast is superb and Lithgow is surprisingly excellent. As for his height, yet of course this is poetic licence, but his mimicking of Churchill's voice, posture and mannerisms is very good. But more so is the quality of his acting and gravitas he brings to the role which cannot be faulted.
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JacintoCupboard — 9 years ago(November 23, 2016 12:03 AM)
I didn't read the whole thread, not the least because of the irrational rancour that so quickly developed but I'll still put in my 2 cents.
Lithgow IS miscast in this. A 6 and a half foot gangly American playing Churchill? The idea is madness. But, and this is a big but, he quite amazingly manages to pull it off.
The problem with depictions of Churchill is that he was such a peculiar looking, and sounding, man. It is the norm for actors portraying him to lurch into caricature. I have seldom, well never, seen a convincing depiction of Churchill before.
There's a lesson here for actors and audiences alike: and that is that getting to the heart of your subject CAN overcome the actor's limitations. Well done Lithgow. -
Sophoclaw — 9 years ago(November 24, 2016 04:21 AM)
The choice of Lithgow is not incomprehensible, it is very careful planned to satisfy one of the main purposes of the series. The more physically imposing Churchill is viewed in contrast to the relatively small and fragile Queen Elizabeth, the better, in able to emphasis her command power and character against a Prime Minister whom everyone considered through his strong personality a rock and the foundation of victory over Hitler and Nazi Germany under WWII. This is the whole point of the series, to give the impression that actually it is the monarchy that is the main soul of the UK by making The Queen a stronghold in the leadership of the country by imposing her will on men like Churchill. And that is why they choose Lithgow who is 6'4"(1.93 m) in height against Claire Foy who is 5'3"(1.62 m) tall, that's almost 1'1" difference!. Actually Winston Churchill was 5'6"(1.68m), curiously enough same height as Napoleon, Queen Elizabeth II is 5'4"(1.63m) so that makes Churchill only 2" taller than The Queen.
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damedelilas — 9 years ago(November 26, 2016 06:45 AM)
When I first saw him, I remember thinking it was insane that he was chosen for the part. Just because his height made him seem so different from Churchill and it was jarring.
He won me over very quickly though and did an amazing job really showing Churchill as a whole person rather than just one facet of his personality. The scenes about the painting of him were so incredibly moving and I don't think anyone could have done better than him.
"Life is for service." -
VValkyrie — 9 years ago(November 27, 2016 09:49 AM)
Started watching "The Crown" three days ago, on episode 4 & enthralled with this series. I'm enjoying John Lithgow as Sir Winston Churchill - great performance by an "actor". That is their job description "to act - to portray and express a character" - no need for spot on look-a-likes. Anyone remember a very handsome Simon Ward in "Young Winston"?
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Hidingintheshadows — 9 years ago(November 27, 2016 08:57 PM)
To EVERYBODY:
Are you joking? Seriously, I posted an opinion. That's all.
How can any of you justify the time you have spent, quarreling, bickeringAS IF ANYBODY CARES?
Really: have you nothing better in your lives to do, than to throw virtual eggs at someone you don't know, from wherever, just to spit your foam atSOMETHING.?
Seriously, talk to a yoga teacher, or whatever,
but get a life
Oh, and don't dare think that I care enough to read any responseI will be going straightway to wherever it asks me to tell it to not send me any more notices of your ridiculous foam-spitting ejaculations of "I wish there was more to my life than arguing about who should have played Churchill".
Sp pathetic.
Seriously.
That's all you have, in you life.
Nodon't type.
Just
Shut up.
Do something nice
instead.
Bye
like, forever -
Newton820 — 9 years ago(November 30, 2016 10:28 AM)
I liked the bit best where no-one agreed with you so you threw a tantrum.
I also liked the bit where you complained about posters arguing with you in an argument you started and participated in and then told them to get a life for arguing!
Oh stop it, please. I can hardly breathe!!!
It would be shame if you let this one experience stop you from expressing your opinion on here again because it was entertaining after all, and what is life without entertainment.
I'm Brian and so is my wife! -
triplegrim — 9 years ago(December 08, 2016 01:55 PM)
Lithglow is Perfect as the older, more beffudled Churchill. His size is a good Visual tool, to establish the overwhelming respect and presence he commanded after the war, being the man who led them through the blitz.
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vapor8 — 9 years ago(December 25, 2016 04:06 AM)
What a butthurt douch. Lol
My Top TV Series Of All Time:
http://www.imdb.com/board/bd0000012/flat/259033940 -
tinagchristensen — 9 years ago(January 31, 2017 01:58 PM)
In the beginning of this thread I was taught a lesson by OP - I had the nerve to say that John Lithgow's performance was sublime and was told I know nothing about acting or anything. Well John just won a SAG Award - guess the Screen Actors don't know anything about acting either. Anyway CONGRATULATONS John Lithgow - you really deserved this honour. Oh yes!!
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runforfree — 9 years ago(February 01, 2017 04:28 PM)
They know or maybe they don't, but it's well known that if you have the right image and suck up to the right people you'll get an award. So many brilliant actors are overlooked while mediocre ones win especially the SAG awards. That being said john lithgow deserves his win. He's great in the role but truthfully any great british actor could do the role justice.